Fibromyalgia

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue (feeling tired).People with fibromyalgia have “tender points” on the body. Tender points are specific places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs. These points hurt when pressure is put on them. People with fibromyalgia may also have other symptoms, such as; trouble sleeping, morning stiffness, headaches, painful menstrual periods, tingling or numbness in hands and feet and problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called “fibro fog”).

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown, however there may be a number of factors involved. Fibromyalgia has been linked to:

Stressful or traumatic events, such as car accidents

Repetitive injuries

Illness and certain diseases

Fibromyalgia can also occur on its own. Some scientists think that a gene or genes might be involved in fibromyalgia. The genes could make a person react strongly to things that other people would not find painful.

Who is Affected by Fibromyalgia?

Scientists estimate that fibromyalgia affects 5 million Americans age 18 or older. Between 80 and 90 percent of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women. However, men and children can also have the disorder. Most people are diagnosed during middle age. People with certain other diseases may be more likely to have fibromyalgia.

These diseases include:

Rheumatoid arthritis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (commonly called lupus)

Ankylosing spondylitis (spinal arthritis)

Women who have a family member with fibromyalgia may be more likely to have fibromyalgia themselves.

How is Fibromyalgia Treated?

Fibromyalgia can be hard to treat. It’s important to find a doctor who is familiar with the disorder and its treatment. Many GP’s, general physicians, musculoskeletal physicians or rheumatologists can treat fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia treatment often requires a team approach. The team may include your doctor, a physiotherapist, and possibly other health care providers.

What Can I Do to Try to Feel Better?

There are many things you can do to feel better, including:

Taking medicines as prescribed

Getting enough sleep

Exercising

Eating well

Making work changes if necessary.

What Research is Being Done on Fibromyalgia?

Researchers are studying why people with fibromyalgia have increased sensitivity to pain, along with medicines and behavioural treatments and whether there is a gene or genes that make a person more likely to have fibromyalgia.

The use of imaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is also being used to better understand fibromyalgia, inflammation in the body and its relationship to fibromyalgia. Non-drug therapies to help reduce pain are also being reviewed. As are methods to improve sleep in people with fibromyalgia.

For further information about Fibromyalgia and other related conditions, contact Back Doctor.

Charlotte’s Story

Finally, relief from years of Fibromyalgia pain ! ! ! ! ! After spending most of my life dealing with the pain of Fibromyalgia I have been given a new lease of life.

Dr Craig is amazing – no more nasty pain medication blocking me up and fogging my brain up, I used to find it hard waking up in the morning and making it out of bed feeling bruised and exhausted before my day even began. Now I wake early, jump out of bed and go off to work all thanks to Dr Mark Craig at the Back Doctor in Milton.

I have tried everything from ‘freaky’ chanting to severe narcotic pain medication, so I was very sceptical when I made the first appointment even though the lovely receptionist told me Dr Craig could in fact make a difference to my life.

Dr Mark has me off all that mind-bending medication and on to a new medicine developed for people who suffer Fibromyalgia.

Now for the first time in my life, when someone asks how I am I do not have to fake a smile! Dr Craig actually listened to me and devised a plan of immediate action.